Position Analysis
The CCO’s off-season series of articles to summarize and project how the Cubs’ minor league system stacks up on a position by position basis continues today. Second base was first on the list followed by third base, shortstop and first base. Today, the CCO focuses on a position that may be the weakest in the entire organization: Catcher. … [Read more...]

The Cubs made six rosters moves on Wednesday morning and reduced the 40-man roster to 37 players.
The Cubs activated RHP Rafael Dolis, RHP Zach Putnam and OF Thomas Neal from the 60-day DL, all three players cleared waivers and were outrighted off the 40-man roster. The Cubs also waived OF Darnell McDonald, catcher J.C. Boscan and RHP Trey McNutt. McDonald, Boscan and McNutt cleared waivers and were outrighted off the 40-man roster. … [Read more...]

Game One Hundred Sixty-Two – Cubs 0, Cardinals 4
WP – Joe Kelly (10-5) LP – Jeff Samardzija (8-13) Save – None
The Cubs ended the 2013 season with a loss to the Cardinals and finished the year with a 66-96 record after Dale Sveum’s team was shutout for the 16th time.
Jeff Samardzija recorded a quality start as he wrapped up his first full season in the Cubs’ rotation. Samardzija had good location for the most part but he could not slow down the Cardinals’ offense on Sunday. Joe Kelly … [Read more...]

Game One Hundred Sixty-One – Cubs 2, Cardinals 6
WP – Adam Wainwright (19-9) LP – Edwin Jackson (8-18) Save – Seth Maness (1)
Edwin Jackson lasted just 2 2/3 innings, the Cubs managed only seven hits with Anthony Rizzo and Donnie Murphy driving in both runs in the ninth inning off of Edward Mujica as the Cubs lost for the second straight day in St. Louis to the division champs. The Cubs are limping toward the finish line of another bad season at the big league level.
The Cardinals … [Read more...]

Game One Hundred Fifty-Nine – Cubs 4, Pirates 2
WP – Jake Arrieta (4-2) LP – Francisco Liriano (16-8) Save – Kevin Gregg (33)
Jake Arrieta notched a quality start in his last outing of the year and Darnell McDonald smacked a three-run homer off Francisco Liriano in the sixth inning as the Cubs beat the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon in the final game of the season at Wrigley Field. The Cubs finished the year with a 31-50 mark at home and showed their appreciation to the fan base by tipping … [Read more...]

Game One Hundred Fifty-Nine: Cubs (65-93) vs. Pirates (91-67)
Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
Coverage – TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 186/844
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jake Arrieta (3-2, 3.94/1.14/5.04) vs. Francisco Liriano (16-7, 2.88/1.21/2.92)
The Cubs will try to close out their 2013 home schedule with a win today behind Jake Arrieta. The Cubs wrap up the series and season series against the Pirates (6-12) and the offense faces a big challenge with Francisco … [Read more...]

Game One Hundred Fifty-Three – Cubs 5, Brewers 1
WP – Jake Arrieta (3-2) LP – Kyle Lohse (10-10) Save – None
Jake Arrieta dominated the Brewers for seven innings and squeezed in a run while his teammates hit three home runs that accounted for the other four runs as the Cubs snapped their five-game losing streak and finally beat the Brewers on Thursday afternoon.
Jake Arrieta once again showed the Cubs a glimpse of how good he can be on a big league mound. Arrieta retired 11 in a row … [Read more...]

Game One Hundred Forty-Five - Cubs 0, Reds 6
WP - Mike Leake (13-6) LP - Jeff Samardzija (8-12) Save - None
Jeff Samardzija had another rough outing, the Cubs were shut out for the 13th time this season and could not complete their first sweep at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Jeff Samardzija was not very good once again and for the eighth time this season, he allowed five or more earned runs in a single start. The Reds put a crooked number on the board for the first … [Read more...]

Game One Hundred Forty-Four – Cubs 9, Reds 1
WP – Edwin Jackson (8-15) LP – Tony Cingrani (7-4) Save – None
Welington Castillo had a career night, the Cubs hit four home runs and Edwin Jackson allowed only one run over seven innings as the Cubs won their second game in a row in Cincinnati on Tuesday night.
The Cubs lit up the Reds’ bullpen after Tony Cingrani had to leave the game in the second inning with back spasms. After Welington Castillo (3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI) … [Read more...]

Tom Ricketts spoke with Gordon Wittenmyer on Wednesday and "promised no splashy, expensive moves to reverse four consecutive years of losing on the field and at the gate" this off-season. Ricketts told the Sun-Times that the budget he gave Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer to work with "isn’t holding back anything" that Epstein and Hoyer are trying to do with the team.
Theo Epstein spoke in detail last Sunday about how the team’s revenues are impacting what can be spent on the big league team right … [Read more...]